Sporting folks who had OHCA

[pinnelli]

hi

I’m keen to establish network of folks with similar experience. I was (am still maybe!) I fit cyclist. Spent my life since mid teens, running mountain climbing and biking. At time of OHCA 2 years ago I was 46, very fit, had been cycling approx 200 per week for years. Mountain rides / road / commute. 20+ years riding in Alps every summer, snowboarding in winter.

Never smoked, barely eaten junck food, BP normal or to quote a nurse like a teenager, cholesterol low & I now know great good to bad ratio! Angiogram showed prestine arteries other than 1 blockage and no underlying condition.

Whilst this saved me, permitted me to sustain 25mins CPR, I was on bike at time mikes from anywhere & was airlifted to Bristol. I have had a slow return to Sport with confidence challenged. Deffo had PTSD after event, knocked me for 6. . Whilst doing stuff again including in remote areas I’m sure I could a bit harder. I’ve had stress tests and my cardiologist says “I make Him tired watching “! But I’m constantly niggled and worried. Especially when I read on this site people’s stents failing or multiple HAs for whatever reason.

Anyone in same boat? Ie fit and healthy, never smoked etc. Experienced a return to sport of some kind & pushing themselves.

[Hidden]

Illness to anyone can strike at any time, anywhere, anyhow (sounds like an advert for Martini) and no one can predict it. You survived because of your health - why gamble your health whilst trying to achieve the top of a fitness level that probably began the problem in the first place? If I was as worried as you appear to be, why not go join a gym and do your workout to the level you wish to in a safe, populated area - you will have this worry for the rest of your life - thats natural, extreme exercise in remote places is just courting disaster. in my humble opinion. I could also say act your age but that would be very cruel. Health needs nurturing and there is nothing better that a sustained cardiac exercise, to what ever level you want to take it - and enjoy your life. Some are not as lucky as you and I have been. We could both be resting in a plot in a cemetery somewhere!

[pinnelli in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for the response and you are right of course. In fact this has been a natural conversion for me ( my wife worried I would still be addicted to excercise but I’m not). Just trying to gauge if anyone else like me, who’ve had to adjust but of course steady excercise is good for everyone.

Trying to establish my threshold - being so fit before that is higher than most but I’d never push it anymore.

Don’t worry you are also right re act my age. Strata is not great for us middle aged, pushing harder around family & full time jobs. Pushing like we are twenty or thirty something.

Thanks again. We are all very lucky , this weeks push on CPR reminds us of that.

Take care

[Hidden in reply to pinnelli]

The reason I replied was because I was like you! Let me explain, I am 68 - RN 20 years, always active and then struck with Diabetes at age 50. Not drank for 26 years nor smoked for five years. However, with Diabetes I put on loads of weight, topping out at 18 stone and continuing to put on weight and increase in Insulin - one feeds the other. So in April 2017 went on diet, similar to one recommended by a Professor from Glasgow University. By April 2018 I had lost 7 stone and now take NO medication what so ever for my Diabetes. That did not stop me having a mild heart attack in June = I was not worried until, after all the checks I found that I could not have stents because all but one of my arteries were blocked and required immediate triple heart bypass. I now still weigh 11 stone, no Diabetic medication and been through cardiac rehab and now on a heart smart programme at a local gym and amazed at how fit I still am. Unlike you, I am not angry or disappointed at being struck down with a diabolical illness. I am a realist and the facts for me are as follows. I AM STILL ALIVE, This could happen to anybody at any age for any reason but I AM ALIVE. My wife is pleased I AM STILL ALIVE - so why be angry, be thankful.

My responsibility to my health, is to keep my heart as fit as I can without endangering my health by doing something STUPID. There are many more people far worse of than me (and you) and I truly thank all of the staff at the hospital that cared for me and helped me through this. Please do not feel so bitter about what you did have, be thankful for what you do. My health before the operation saved my life, the weight loss being the overriding factor

Ask your wife what she would prefer to have - a dead ever so fit husband - or one that has a heart fit for the rest of his life? I know what my wife prefers and are looking forward to the rest of our lives, knowing there are many people nowhere near as lucky as we have been. I do believe the quote is "Every cemetery is full of fit people"